Brunswick-Luneburg-Celle 1647-LW 4 thaler Dav-LS134
This specimen was lot 52221 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where it sold for $26,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "Impressive Mining-Related Multiple Taler. Among the Finest Extant. GERMANY. Brunswick-Luneburg: Luneburg (Celle). "Mining" 4 Talers, 1647-LW. Clausthal Mint. Friedrich V. NGC AU-58. A stunning larger-format issue that is RARELY encountered (especially so attractive and inviting), this broad issue struck to the weight of 4 Talers presents uniformly bold detail in the designs, an enticing gunmetal gray tone, and very little evidence of handling or time spent at all in commerce. The obverse features the armored and draped bust of the duke surrounded by 14 crowned coats-of-arms, while the reverse displays an intricate mining scene and sideview of the Harz mountains--the area from which the massive haul of silver used to strike this example emanated." Christian Ludwig was duke in Calenberg 1641-48 and in Celle 1648-65. His younger brother Georg Wilhelm was duke in Calenberg 1648-65 and in Celle 1665-1705. Johann Friedrich, the third brother, was duke in Calenberg 1665-79. The last brother, Ernst August, was duke in Calenberg 1679-98 and elector of Hannover 1692-98. Ernst August's son George inherited Calenberg and Hannover in 1698, Celle in 1705 and the throne of Great Britain in 1714. The Brunswick dukes seem to have become enamored of multiple thalers and issued more different types than any other locale. This type was accompanied by triple (Dav-LS135b) and quintuple thalers (Dav-LS133).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 116 g, silver.
Catalog reference: Dav-LS134; KM-179; Welter-1402; Preussag-128.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., Large Size Silver Coins of the World, 16th-19th Centuries, 3rd Ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1991.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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